TWO teenage football players from the Salvation Army Hostel in Huntingdon are still nurturing dreams of playing in the finals of the Homeless World Cup in South Africa. Tony Peacock and Adam Banda, both from the Courts Ripton Court hostel, took part in tr

TWO teenage football players from the Salvation Army Hostel in Huntingdon are still nurturing dreams of playing in the finals of the Homeless World Cup in South Africa.

Tony Peacock and Adam Banda, both from the Courts Ripton Court hostel, took part in trials for the England team on March 15 at Manchester. But because the standard was so high, all 21 participants were asked to return for further trials on April 25.

Adam, 19, who attends Longsands College sixth form, said: "We were expecting the coaches to pick 14 people to take to Cape Town so it was a bit of a surprise when they asked us all to come back.

"It was really hard work compared to all the other trials and they have told us that the next ones will be even tougher."

Tony, 18, in his second year of a sports course at Huntingdonshire Regional College, added: "The judges said they found it too hard to eliminate anyone."

The trials, which take place at Manchester United's Cliff training ground in Salford, consist of a training session taken by some of United's coaches.

Tony, who plays for Huntingdon Town under 18s and Sapley Rovers, said the

trials were tough.

"They taught us new tricks and turns just for the warm up and we were all really tired. But my confidence has soared since the article appeared in The Hunts Post and everyone has been coming up to me and Adam and wishing us good luck.

"We would like to thank everyone who is supporting us."

Should Tony and Adam make the England team for the Homeless World Cup, they would join 34 other teams of homeless people from around the world in Cape Town from September 23 to September 30.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the Homeless Football World Cup, or to buy an official Homeless World Cup t-shirt, visit www.streetsoccer.org